The kitchen can be a place to turn to for comfort. Perhaps there is a trusted family recipe that always brightens your day, or maybe it is the place you go when you want to find new ways to nourish yourself and your family. If you need a little company, these are the best Italian food cookbooks that I refer to when I need inspiration or guidance in tackling a new dish.

Some of these classic Italian cookbooks have been around for decades, while others are more modern hits that still keep the focus on traditional cooking in contemporary kitchens. Regardless of your current collection, I would guess that you have space to add at least one more of these beautiful food books to your shelf and kitchen repertoire.